Port Richmond used a 9-0 run in the third quarter to take a 15-point lead and then held off a late rally from New Dorp to record a 64-52 PSAL boys’ basketball victory on Wednesday at Port Richmond HS.

After connecting on six 3-pointers in the first half, the Raiders (2-3 PSAL) made some adjustments at halftime and was able to find more conventional ways to score baskets to take the pivotal run.

“It was about making the adjustment against their defense. We were having difficulty through it. What we were looking to do was move the ball more efficiently on the outside so that we can get basically my two point guards to get into the seams to get those guys off and start kicking out,” said PR head coach Frank Guglielmo. “Then we figured if they softened on us on the outside, then we would just drive to the basket.”

The stretch was a far cry from the first 16 minutes as the hosts took a 12-10 lead after the first quarter by connecting for four treys and adding two more 3s in the second half to take a 29-23 halftime lead. Joshua Wahnon scored 14 of his game-high 21 points in the first half courtesy of four 3-pointers.

“This is the kind of team we are,” said Guglielmo. “I’ve been playing against these guys for a long time and I know the kind of defenses that they run. I know (New Dorp head coach) Patty (Hopkins) had a young team. But I know the 3-2 is something he’s been running for the past couple of years. The type of thing that we were looking to do was look to get our 3-point shooters going.”

Despite being in control most of the game, things didn’t come easy closing out the victory as the Central Cougars (1-5) scored 10 unanswered points in a two-minute stretch midway through the final stanza to cut the deficit to 53-44.

ND would eventually narrow the deficit to seven points at 57-50 with 1:31 remaining but Wahnon put back a rebound 13 seconds later to ice the victory. 